Autumn 2011 “love is the fulfilment of the law” - St Paul FREE / DONATION No. 34 THE LONDON
CATHOLIC WORKER Rioting in Tottenham Mourn the Dead! Heal the Goes National Wounded! End the Wars! When police shot and killed Mark Duggan in Tottenham, On September 11th. a small group of Catholic and then refused to talk to the family, the ensuing riots Workers and friends made their way into the U.S. sparked a national debate. This article is an attempt to embassy in London. We went to the embassy on the reflect on events that began in our locality. 10th. anniversary of the attack on the World Trade After having the inevitable and frustrating conversation Centre, to mourn the dead of New York City and those with my Granny about the riots - the one where she says, who have become roadkill in the U.S. backlash ―it wasn't like this in the 1930s, children did what their massacres that have followed. This is the 10th anniversary of the "war without end!" parents said‖, ―why do you want to live in Hackney?‖ etc, and I can't argue because she's my Gran – I needed to As we approached the embassy we passed a pub full write something... of English Defence League and met police barricades According to my Gran, there used to be lines of starving, impeding our path. We soon realised that some of the emaciated men waiting in queues patiently to find work. key people presently prosecuting these wars were to Nowadays, the young don't even want to work. In the old assemble in the park in front of the embassy - PM days you would never have gone out if your parents told David Cameron, Prince Charles, the U.S. Ambassador you to stay in, nowadays kids have no respect. They're not et al. We backed off and began to make our way to the starving, they've got loads of stuff – they're just greedy, far corner of the embassy. We were immediately lazy and selfish. tracked on CCTV and detained for "suspicion of So why the change, what has happened to make us (and possessing weapons". she does include in me in 'the youth' still!) so disrespect- While being detained we unfurled our banner "Mourn ful and selfish? And, depending on which media you the Dead!, Heal the Wounded!, End the Wars!" (cont p7) read/watch, are these rioters disrespectful, (cont p5) A Message From Lillian Lyons
It is important for both Michael and I to let you know how much we appreciate your support whilst my husband is locked up in Military prison. Every message, letter and show of face means the world to us and is really helping us to get through this crazy time in our lives.
I am sure most of you know why Michael has been pun- ished by the Royal Navy so I won‘t waste your time re- gurgitating the details of his case, the intimidating Court Martials or the legality of his defence. Instead I will tell you a bit about how Michael‘s conscience led him to a incredibly unjust sentence.
Mike has served as a Medic in the Submarine Service for nearly 7 years. It sounds clichéd but he really (cont p8) Discovering the
INSIDE: p2 Render Unto Caesar? Catholic Worker p4 Cardinal at Faslane Anti-Nuclear Protest It was while on retreat at Easter that I picked up the p7 A Visit to London’s Arms Fair newsletter for London Catholic Worker. I had been trying to discern my next step in life, but I had never P7 Location, Location, Location heard of the Catholic Worker movement. I started to p9 Peter Maurin & CW T-shirts for Sale read the lead article about the opening of their house p10 DVD for sale - the Dorothy Day story of hospitality for refugees in London, not just a report p11 DATES for your Diary & Standing Order Form on its opening, but a real testimony to the people who p11 Peace Pilgrim had inspired it and how they each had struggled (cont p6) P12 House Needs London Catholic Render Unto Caesar? Aside from numerous verses on love and Worker: forgiveness, Christian anarchists point to
We are: Angela Broome, Simon passages in Old and New Testaments to Watson, Henrietta Cullinan, Chris further validate their interpretation of Goodchild, Scott and Maria Albrecht, Christianity. The most significant of these Martin Newell, Soo Tian Lee, Sean will be reviewed here – more can be found O‘Malley, Ciaron O‘Reilly, Mirjam in Christian anarchist literature. Johansson, Dan Viesnik, Andrew One example concerns one of Jesus‟ Russell, Paulo Oliveira wilderness temptations, which reads:
Dorothy Day House Again, the devil took him to a very high 16 De Beauvoir Road, mountain and showed him all the De Beauvoir Town, London N1 5SU kingdoms of the world and their splendour. Tel: 020 7249 0041 Email: “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will [email protected] bow down and worship me.” We are: Dan Viesnik Michael Omari Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: „Worship the Lord your Guiseppe Conlon House God, and serve him only.‟” 49 Mattison Road, London N4 1BG Jacques Ellul argues that according to this Tel: 020 8348 8212 Email: text, “all powers, all the power and glory of [email protected] Dorothy Day House and Giuseppe the kingdoms, all that has to do with politics and political authority, belongs to Conlon House offer hospitality to This above book is available on the internet destitute refugees, mainly men. We the devil.” It is moreover important to note run Peter‘s Community Café and the that Jesus does not deny that political perceived injustice or insecurity, do not Urban Table Soup Kitchen. We or- power does indeed belong to the devil. resort to any violence, because “it can ganise regular non-violent resistance, Rather, “he refuses the offer of power only give rise to further violence.” And as and produce this newsletter. because the devil demands that he should Ellul notes, the warning applies quite We are: Martin Newell, Sean fall down before him and worship him.” broadly. On the one hand, “since the state O Malley, Ciaron O‘Reilly, Soo Jesus refuses political power because it uses the sword, it will be destroyed by the Tian Lee, Andrew Russell, Paulo would entail worship of the devil. So Jesus sword, as centuries of history have shown Oliveira declines the possibility of changing the us.” But on the other, this can also be world through political channels. He seen as a caution to Christians: “do not Catholic Worker Farmhouse: rejects the state because he can only fight the state with the sword, for if you do, Lynsters Farm, Old Uxbridge Road, serve one Lord: it is not possible to serve you will be killed by the sword.” Violence West Hyde, Herts, WD3 9XJ both God and the state. should never be used, neither to hold Tel: 01923 777 201 Email: Ellul notices that a similar point is made in political authority nor to overthrow it. And if [email protected] We are: Scott & Maria Albrecht the Old Testament. Until Samuel, Israel violence is used, then no validation for it and family, Mirjam Johannsen had no king. Decisions were taken mostly can be claimed from Christianity, because by popular assembly: “people did what Jesus explicitly denounces it. The Farmhouse offers hospitality to was right in their own eyes.” But in 1 So, Christian anarchists understand destitute women. We vigil regularly Samuel 8, they told Samuel that they Christianity to be strictly incompatible with at the nearby Northwood Joint Forces wanted a king so that they could be like the state and political power; for them, Military HQ. We also grow organic other nations and have more efficient Christianity provides the blueprint for a vegetables and have a poustinia. military leadership. As Ellul explains, non-violent, anarchist revolution. However, Maryhouse is an extension of our “Samuel protested and went to God in there are two important phrases from the work, and offers a home to four prayer. The God of Israel replied: Do not New Testament that are frequently raised destitute women with children. be upset. The people have not rejected against Christian anarchists as if these Peter’s Community Café: you, Samuel, but me, God. […] Accept self-evidently contradict their political Open Mon-Weds 12noon-5.30pm their demand but warn them of what will interpretation: “render to Caesar,” and The Crypt, St Peter‘s Church, happen.” Samuel then warned them of all Paul‟s instructions in Romans 13. These Northchurch Terrace, De Beauvoir the abuses of power that would ensue, but must now be analysed in turn to show why Town, N1 5AT Tel: 020 7249 0041 they wanted their king. So, they chose an Christian anarchists consider them not as Urban Table Soup Kitchen: earthly ruler, a state, instead of God. That contradicting but as actually confirming Open Sun. 2.30pm-4.30pm is, they opted for idolatry, for the service their own interpretation. The Old School Rooms, The Round and worship of the state rather than God. It is important to recall the details of the Chapel, Powerscroft Road, Hackney, (Note that even though he disapproved, “render to Caesar” episode before London E5 0PU God allowed them to freely reject him.) commenting on it. The story reads as fol-
Peter’s Cafe and the Urban Table Another important passage in terms of lows: Later they sent some of the Phari- are both attempts to imitate Jesus‘ how to respond to fear and insecurity can sees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in practice of sharing his table with all be found in Matthew 26:51-52. Jesus has his words. They came to him and said, comers. At the Café in particular we just been betrayed by Judas, and is about “Teacher, we know you are a man of also hope to offer a space to build to be taken away. One of his disciples integrity. You aren‟t swayed by men, be- bridges between the disparate groups then draws out his sword and strikes one cause you pay no attention to who they and individuals in our local commu- of the guards. But Jesus famously tells are; but you teach the way of God in nity, as well as welcoming activists. him to put away his sword, because “all accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay who draw the sword will die by the sword.” taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay Anti-©opywrite For Action 2 So once again, even in the face of or shouldn‟t we?” But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. specific government has any particularly special “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” They brought relationship with God, even though God will use it in his the coin, and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And mysterious ordering of the cosmos. Therefore, according whose inscription?” “Caesar‟s,” they replied. Then Jesus to Ellul, “the only one whom we must fear is God,” and said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar‟s and to “the only one to whom honour is due is God” – not God what is God‟s.” And they were amazed at him.‟ political authorities. Ellul notes that in the first place, if they put this question to But anyhow, “the immediate concrete meaning of this text Jesus, it must have been because it was already debated, for the Christian Jews in Rome,” Yoder indicates, “is to and Jesus must have had “the reputation of being hostile call them away from any notion of revolution or to Caesar.” But aside from this, it must be borne in mind insubordination. The call is to a non-resistant attitude that “in the Roman world an individual mark on an object towards a tyrannical government.” Paul is calling for denoted ownership.” Hence the coin did actually belong to Roman Christians to act as Jesus did. Besides, if you Caesar. No surprise, then, that Jesus says “Give it back to choose resistance, Eller remarks, “you could find yourself him when he demands it.” Nevertheless, as Ellul notices, “Jesus resisting the particular use God has in mind for that does not say that taxes are lawful.” empire” – whatever that might prove to be. Thus Paul, just So the key question is “what really belongs to Caesar?” as Jesus did before him, is advising against a violent Ellul replies: “Whatever bears his mark! Here is the basis political uprising and instead encouraging Christians to and limit of his power. But where is his mark? On coins, cultivate love, sacrifice and forgiveness. Paul is endorsing on public monuments, and on certain altars. That is all. neither the Roman establishment nor any uprising to […] On the other hand, whatever does not bear Caesar‟s mark does not belong to him. It belongs to God.” For instance, Caesar has no right over life and death. That belongs to God. Hence while the state can expect Christians to abide by its wishes regarding its belongings, it has no right to kill dissidents or plunge a country into war. Therefore the “render to Caesar” episode seems to reinforce, not weaken, the case made by Christian anarchists. Some things do belong to Caesar, but many more essential things belong to God, and the state over- steps its mark when it encroaches on God‟s domain. But then what about Romans 13? There, Paul does clearly assert: “Everyone must submit himself to the gov- erning authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist overthrow it, but reminding followers of Jesus that what have been established by God.” Does this verse and matters is to focus on God and Jesus‟ radical and no less those following it not finally defeat the Christian anarchist revolutionary commandments. Thus, Romans 13, when fallacy? After all, this passage has often been used to understood in its context, ends up supporting rather than justify the divine institution of civil government – including discrediting Christian anarchists. Nazi Germany. As already hinted, this touches on the core of the Here again, however, Christian anarchists offer a seemingly paradoxical understanding of Jesus‟ teaching compelling response. For a start, one must realise that by Christian anarchists. That is, Jesus‟ political subversion Romans 12 and 13 “in their entirety form a literary unit.” In is carried out through submission rather than revolt. both chapters, Paul is writing about love and sacrifice, Jesus‟ crucifixion is the Biblical episode which best about overcoming evil with good, about willingly offering illustrates this. For Christian anarchists, the cross is the oneself up for persecution. In doing so, he is mainly symbol both of state violence and persecution, and of repeating the message that Jesus articulated not only in Jesus‟ alternative to overcome it. To paraphrase from the Sermon on the Mount and other parables, but also in Paul, by submitting to his crucifixion – even uttering as his the very way he lived and died – indeed, Jesus‟ ultimate last words a call for God to “forgive them, for they do not act of love and sacrifice was to subject himself to Roman know what they are doing” – Jesus “makes a public crucifixion. But the point is that as John H. Yoder asserts, example” of the state, “unmasks” it as violent and “any interpretation of 13:1-7 which is not also an demonic and “dethrones” it from its power and perceived expression of suffering and serving love must be a legitimacy. By submitting to his crucifixion, Jesus misunderstanding of the text in its context.” And in Ellul‟s demonstrates that love and forgiveness, even – indeed, words, once one interprets Romans 12 and 13 as a especially – in the face of violence and vindictiveness, coherent whole, one notes that “there is a progression of must go to the very end. Hence Jesus‟ submission is love from friends to strangers and then to enemies, and subversive because it unmasks the true nature of the this is where the passage then comes. In other words, we state and at the same time embodies his alternative to must love enemies and therefore we must even respect overcome it. At the cross, Jesus and his teaching, the authorities.” Hence Paul‟s message in Romans 13 is although seemingly crushed, are paradoxically exalted. to call for Christians to subject themselves to political However surprising this may at first seem, the cross thus powers out of love, forgiveness and sacrifice. symbolises Christianity‟s anarchist subversion. And of It is also worth repeating Eller‟s point that to “be subject course, Jesus repeatedly demands of his followers that to” does not mean to worship, to “recognise the legitimacy they take up their cross and follow him, in other words of” or to “own allegiance to.” Ellul thus comments that “we that they reject violence, accept persecution and have no right to claim God in validation of this order as if nonetheless keep on striving to love and forgive both their he were at our service. […] This takes away all the neighbours and their enemies – just like Jesus did. This pathos, justification, illusion, enthusiasm, etc” that can be does not mean, however, that Jesus asks from his associated with any specific political authority. So no followers that they remain completely silent (cont p7) 3 Cardinal O’Brien at Below: Cardinal O‘Brien visiting the Faslane Peace Camp Faslane Protest Cardinal O‘Brien was at Faslane on Palm Sunday this year, with reverend Alan McDonald (former Methodist Moderator of Scotland) and Bruce Kent, for a service and demonstration. Afterwards, with Leona who had attended the service, he visited the Faslane Peace Camp. He spoke of his opposition to nuclear weapons, saying: ―It is a message I‘m all the more glad to repeat here at the gates of Faslane, which is the very heart of Britain‘s nuclear weapons industry.‖ The Cardinal said: "There is no better place to say that it is not courageous of Britain to have these dreadful weapons of mass destruction. It is shameful. If our government wished to comprise Britain‘s strategic arsenal. Each one eight times as truly be courageous it would unilaterally give up its nuclear powerful as the Hiroshima bomb. deterrent, giving the witness and impetus for other nations to We all accept that threatening behaviour is a crime. In the [follow]." And, speaking of his personal experience visiting domestic context it instils fear and mistrust and destroys Rwanda and Darfur he condemned corporations that manu- relationships, so too in the international context. To the facture and sell arms for profit at the cost of human life. Christian and to most people of faith, threatening someone
The Times has printed a letter from Cardinal O'Brien on with such awesomely destructive power runs utterly counter the moral case for scrapping Trident: to the call of God: a call to love, peace and reconciliation, not A recent editorial in this paper on Trident, noting that destruction, domination and force. ―national defence is one of the cardinal duties of the I am a Christian minister and a human being who believes in statesman‖, caused me to reflect on the moral duties of a the dignity and sanctity of human life. This pro-life message cardinal. In the debate surrounding the replacement of is at the heart of the Catholic Church and is one the Church Trident, we have heard a great deal about the financial, champions, ―in season and out of season‖. No one can uphold diplomatic, military and political arguments relevant to the teachings of Christ unless they speak out in defence of retention or rejection. By contrast we have heard precious life, and mass killing of innocent victims at any time or little about moral arguments involved. Sometimes the debate place. becomes so confused and nuanced that the moral Life must mean life in all its fullness and at every stage, from considerations of any decision can be lost in the fog. conception to natural death, and any premature taking of life With Trident, the moral case is simple. It cuts through and at any stage has deep moral implications. across any others. In all circumstances to use a nuclear This is why the Catholic Church opposes abortion, capital weapon would be immoral. Since to use these weapons is punishment, works to bring an end to the scandal of child immoral, to threaten their use is immoral and to hold them soldiers, the trade in small arms and so much more. It is why with a view to threatening their use is also immoral. the Church has consistently opposed the development of We not only violate moral principles with our nuclear weap- nuclear weapons, and why it demands their abolition, now ons but undermine our moral authority in the world. We were more than ever. None of what I say comes from me alone, prepared to engage in a brutal war with Iraq to ensure that but from the highest moral authority in the Catholic Church; nation did not possess weapons of mass destruction. We did the Pope and the bishops working together and in Council. this in the belief that possession of such weapons is morally The last Council was Vatican II more than 40 years ago, but reprehensible, which it is, unless of course we possess them. its teaching on this subject rings down through the decades: Our moral hypocrisy fatally undermined our position in Iraq. ―Any act of war aimed indiscriminately at the destruction of We must ask ourselves: ―Are nuclear weapons entire cities or of extensive areas along with their population useable?‖ The inherently indiscriminate and devastatingly is a crime against God and man himself. It merits unequivo- powerful destructive force of nuclear weapons makes them cal and unhesitating condemnation.‖ qualitatively different from any other ordnance. Their first This is moral teaching of the clearest kind, and my duty is to use, in any circumstances whatsoever, would be a crime pass that teaching on. To act morally, to do the right thing, against God and humanity. Likewise, a counter-strike in often takes courage, and sometimes means taking a stand that retaliation would be just as immoral, even more so, because it others do not agree with or accept. That is the test of leader- would be motivated not by defence but by the hollow and ship. Britain now has a golden opportunity to truly lead and hellish vengeance of the vanquished. It is perhaps no to turn its back on the path of mass destruction. coincidence that one of the British Trident fleet is named In doing so we can assist others, particularly Russia and the HMS Vengeance. United States who have shown much more willingness to be In war a primary duty of the military is to protect the courageous than Britain in recent months, but who have so innocent and non-combatants. This foundational aspect of much farther to go to disarm. Rejecting Trident, not in 2024 military conflict through the ages is brutally and utterly but right now, will bring economic dividends at home and violated when a nuclear weapon is deployed. Even a tactical give moral leadership abroad. It would allow us, at last, to use would be such a violation, yet Britain has no tactical stand on the moral high ground and to invite the nuclear nuclear weapons. Instead 200 identical warheads leased from armed nations of the world to join us there. 4 the US and quartered for the most part in Scottish waters Cardinal Keith O’Brien is President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland. power. For the section of society that functions reasonably, (from p1) selfish Reflections on the Riots or very well, in our current economic and political set up, we thugs who've never had it so good? Or are they victims of a express power day to day and when it is taken away we era of austerity cuts, unemployment and a Tory government? write, call meetings, march, sit-in and all manner of things. My own view is that, yes, they are disrespectful and selfish So when those that don't experience this day-to-day begin to and do have it good in some ways–they have ‗stuff' and feel a sense of their own agency through extreme 'fun', possibilities of choosing differently– but I can't conceive of grabbing consumables in a violent and illegal way, it may be that in isolation from a much wider political and economic an immature adolescent response, not well analysed but it is context. The government of today, cutting back services that an expression of power nonetheless. have quietly helped to build a stronger sense of community, A society that is based on accumulation of wealth (greed) and the financial turmoil leading to unemployment are not and protection of that wealth, or property (power/violence), mutually exclusive from greedy youngsters. All are an inevi- is going to see ugly manifestations of both at either end of table consequence of a society based on liberal capitalism. the spectrum. What is needed is not just more investment in I'm not saying that people don't have a choice in how to be- deprived communities from the taxes grudgingly paid by the have, what I am saying is that it is impossible for everyone to haves, or teaching criminals a lesson – but a whole new way feel a valued part of society when society is based on some of knitting people together in a social solidarity, that does not getting richer at the expense of so many others. base status on productivity or financial remuneration. You all
Since my Gran was a youngster, consumerism and a culture value friends and family over your stuff, right? We just have to take that extra leap to put more people before our stuff. of instant gratification have come to dominate our society. We all want more than we've got (even if we're good The most obvious example, often romanticised yet a reality activists and it might only be for a moment), we all want to for some people I know, is subsistence farming – everyone is have. Some have an awful lot – they get good jobs (at the necessary and plays a vital role. You live off what you grow expense of others), push themselves to the top of their and make and share extra with others. There‘s no point company (at the expense of others), can buy whatever they hoarding produce that will go off so sharing becomes easier like and send their kids to university (also sometimes at the and greed ridiculous. You're physically tired at the end of the expense of others). Society works for them. But others don't day and satisfied you've played a part. Small farming get the jobs, don't get the promotion, get pushed out of communities tend to create their own entertainment, another higher education because there would be not worth in it if way of valuing members, rather than hyping up 'better' everyone got in and passed. It doesn't excuse violence and people. looting but points towards a motive, voiced by the teenagers So what about the city? Let's imagine! With no government involved. blue prints, no big economic systems, just small local groups But its not any individuals fault, or just a class thing. Our starting to figure it out for themselves. But this isn't pipe whole economic system perpetuates (lets call it what it is) dream, it's already happening – especially in places like greed and ownership at the expense of others. It made me Hackney where gardening projects, lunch clubs, meals, youth really angry to see my neighbourhood all smashed up. My arts projects, co-operative cafes, free shops and all sorts pro- local electrical shop was looted in the riots for nothing other mote a sense of investment and pride. There's still a lot to do than greed. As awful as it is, they'll get back on their feet. (obviously) but if our national focus was not economic But if a Curry's and PC World moved in up the road, they'd growth perhaps we'd see the local community become more die a slow death and never recover. Shareholders getting of a priority and the sense of solidarity rather then economic richer at the expense of others, for nothing other than greed. gain flourish. By Jo Frew And how may local convenience stores have died a death at the hands of Tesco? And its not only indi- viduals who suffer.
The pursuit of profit inherent in our economy has seen mass pull out of investment for whole countries when stock market gambling is stacked against them.
And then there's the violence. State sanctioned violence (i.e. the police) protects the property of the haves. Does that subconsciously mean people think it's ok to perpetuate violence in order to 'have'? I don't know, I hate violence in all it's forms. Whether it's looting, looters getting beaten, police getting beaten, armies 'protecting' our country... It all creates further problems.
As some of the rioters themselves have said, it's about an expression of agency, or 5 Discovering the Catholic Worker in the work once a week or fortnight or month, they bring a fresh face and experiences to the community. We could not (from p1) and even died for their beliefs. It struck a real manage without them. So I may be on the rota to help cook chord for me, with a longing to work more directly for that evening, or to go pick up the leftover sandwiches and justice and peace. It was their combination of direct service buns from a local bakery. At 9:00pm our gate is opened for people in real need with an active engagement in the and our guests are welcomed in with hot food ready, wider issues of justice in our society. Shortly after, I visited always delicious and a testimony to the skills of our Giuseppe Conlon House which confirmed this was a good volunteers who have to cook whatever has been donated place to be. that day. We all sit and eat together, which is an So here I now am, learning more directly of the practical opportunity for Catholic Workers, volunteers, visitors and running of this community and project. As a Christian, I guests to chat and get to know each other a little. wanted to be in a praying Sometimes we might then play community, where this would be a game or just chat about our an important underpinning of the news. work. So the daily morning prayer It‘s hard to describe our guests, time, open to all but in no way an as they are all quite different obligation, was a welcome start to with a variety of stories. They my experience. I also soon found are not alcoholics or addicts, that this was a community of real most have very easy-going mutual respect, where each found tempera ments, and are their role with no one pushing extremely courteous. They are them to do what they were not from many of the conflict zones comfortable with. It has taken very of our world, though most you little time for me to feel a sense of don‘t normally read about – belonging and responsibility for Eritrea, DR Congo, Kyrgyzstan, the work which, I can now say Belarus, Iran, Zimbabwe, Ivory ―we‖ do here. Coast, and Cameroon amongst My first day‘s work was at Peter‘s others. There is always a lot of Cafe, the community cafe we run good humour around the dinner in the crypt of St Peter‘s church, table and it is amazing how Hackney. In this small basement easily we all get along despite room, with walls covered in our variety of nationalities. At campaign posters, all are present we are converting more welcomed to enjoy a hot drink and of the rooms in the building hot food, whether you have money with the hope of having a or not. Running on Catholic Above: The Last Supper—by Fritz Eichenberg section for female guests. Worker principles, the cafe relies Around 10:30pm I head off to on donations of food from local businesses and individuals get ready for bed and at 11:00pm its lights out. Thankfully to enable it to provide this service, while the cash income morning prayer is at a very civilised 8:30am, so working from paying customers pays for what has to be bought in, late is not as difficult. Then begins a new working day at like milk and frozen food. The open welcome brings to- LCW, likely to be completely different from the day before gether those who would not usually come into such close – DIY work in the church, planning meetings for resistance proximity – the street sleeper, workmen from a nearby work, food pick ups, cleaning, football in the park or a wel- building site, the alcoholic who sits on a park bench, a come day off – certainly never a dull day and always with social worker needing a neutral space to meet a client, a laughs and challenge. I would not want to be anywhere chronic illness victim who never gets out of the house, else! By Andrew Russell church members having a meeting nearby, as well as many other members of the public just passing by with their own stories to tell. We all can sit at a table, overhear each other‘s conversations, grab forty winks on the soft sofa, get Right: a hearty meal from the menu which, while simpler than Andrew most cafe‘s makes up in the nutritional value of all on in the offer. kitchen at A twenty minute cycle ride brings me back to Giuseppe Giuseppe Conlon House and a couple of hours rest before our guests Conlon arrive for the night. Our week is structured by a few House different rotas that ensure there are always people available to work, while others have a chance to rest. It is really heartening to meet so many people who come to take part 6
Trade‖ on two A visit to London’s Arms Fair of the glossy On the morning of opening of the DSEi (Defence & Security arms displays Equipment International) arm fair in London, I left early from before being my bed, grateful for the hospitality of Giuseppe Conlon q u i c k l y House, and made my way to the centre of London. At Tower grabbed by the Hill station there was a large queue of business men (they were police. I did all men) buying tickets to the Excel Centre where the fair is not however, being held. I mingled with them and asked some of them – go quietly. I with BAE Systems badges on the lapels – whether they were spoke loud and buying or selling. It turned out they were from Saudi Arabia clearly to the and their minder did not want me to talk to them – or them to long line of talk to me. I reminded him we were not in Saudi and democra- arms dealers Above: Chris Cole being arrested cy meant that we could happily converse with each other. shuffling at the DSEi arms fair The Excel Centre is in the east end of London – what used to be slowing to- called the docklands – not far from the other London Catholic wards the entrance – urging them to reconsider their actions and Worker –Dorothy Day House. I had vigiled and prayed the speaking about the misery and death their mornings work will night before with about 150 locals from East London Against surely bring. I ran out of words pretty quick and end by asking the Arms Fair outside the centre. Many of the elder ones at the them repeatedly, to simply go home to their families and to vigil would be able to recall the devastation and loss of life think about what they were doing. They all avoided eye contact. visited on the docks and surrounding areas by German bombing I spent a few hours in the cells, have been charged with crimi- in the Second World War. None of us wanted such devastation nal damage and have a plea hearing date next month. There and death rained on others with weapons traded at the arms fair. were many other actions against the arms fair that day and in Alighting at the station exit for the arms fair there was intense the days following. Investigators from human rights groups security and I looked around in vain for other protestors – there who did manage to gain entry into the fair found cluster bombs had been a call out to meet together on the platform at 10.00am. and torture equipment on sale despite specific promises from As there was seemingly no one else there I mingled with the the organisation that such equipment was banned. crowds of business men and made my way up to the entrance of Arms fairs such as DSEi are the public face of the arms trade – the fair. There were large glossy display boards all around the mere visible tip of the iceberg. The vast majority of the extolling the virtues of various weapons systems and arms work goes on hidden beneath the surface, outside of the spot- companies. The closer I got to the entrance the heavier the light. Our task as Christian peacemakers is to expose this rotten security was getting and it was clear I would not get into the underbelly which is responsible each and every day for visiting fair itself. Weighing up my option I got out a spray can from yet more death and destruction upon the world – especially my bag and quickly sprayed ―DSEi Kills‖ and ―Stop the Arms upon the poor. By Chris Cole : [email protected]
Render Unto Caesar (from p3) Mourn the Dead, Heal the Wounded, when faced with injustice. Jesus himself set the tone when End the Wars (from p1) he stormed and cleansed the Jerusalem temple – an event Daniel and Miriam took turns playing the violin as we that fixed the resolve of the authorities to have him arrest- maintained a respectful silence. We could hear oppos- ed and executed. In commenting on this event, Christian ing chants of the English Defense League and anarchists emphasise that this temple was Israel‟s most "Muslims Against Crusaders" We circled for shared potent religious, political and economic symbol. Jesus‟ “direct action” against it is therefore a clear statement of reflection, mourned the disengagement of civil society opposition against such concentration of power and author- within our countries waging war on the peoples of Af- ity. For Christian anarchists, too much attention has been ghanistan and Iraq.
distracted from these broader political implications by end- We called to mind brothers and sisters persecuted and lessly debating whether Jesus‟ action was violent. Besides, in chains for exposing the nature of these wars and they argue that very little violence was used anyway: only refusing to maintain complicit silence or service the one Gospel mentions a whip, and it does so only in relation to the cattle in the temple. Thus if any physical violence war machine: Bradley Manning accused of releasing was used, it was only to drive out the cattle – not to strike a ‗collateral murder‘ footage: Wikileaks‘ Julian Assange human being. And if Jesus‟ verbal condemnation is none- who distributed the footage: Michael Lyons presently theless a form of violence, then that is the limit of violence in Colchester military prison for refusing deployment that Jesus allows. Indeed, Jesus does repeatedly de- to Afghanistan after seeing footage and cables. nounce in strong terms the religious and political authori- October 7th will mark ten years of U.S. war on the ties of his day. Christian anarchists only regret that today‟s self-proclaimed followers of Jesus rarely repeat such cou- people of Afghnistan. We plan to say no by putting out rageous denunciations of political, religious and economic bodies in the way of those who continue to wage this power. war. As Phil Berrigan would say "Hope is where This is the second part of a serialisation in our newsletter an you're ass is!" and we plan to plant our asses the way article by Alexandre Christiannopolous, taken from the book of the daily grind of killing the innocents. “New Perspectives on Anarchism”, edited by Nathan Jun and Shane Wahl (Lanham, MD: Lexington, 2010), pp. 149-167. By Ciaron O‘Reilly [email protected] 7
A MESSAGE FROM LILLIAN LYONS (from p1) did join up because he thought he could help people. In fact he saw an advert on TV of a Navy Medic jumping out of a helicopter giving humanitarian aid in an unnamed war zone. The medic wasn‟t carrying any weapons just a box with a big red cross on it. He was sold.
He had just turned 18, he had no knowledge of current af- fairs, the legality of the war or any war for that matter. I guess you could say he was naive and he‟d probably agree but who isn‟t at that age?
Mike was never going to stay in the Military, and as he grew up and matured this was certain. Slowly he developed a keen interest in the issues facing the countries involved in these invasions and i guess you could say this snowballed, the deeper he dug, the more he read the more detached he became from his job, his employ- ers and his colleagues.
In 2009 he started to ask his superiors about notice periods and was told February 2011 would be the earliest time he could give a years notice to leave the Navy. I think this was somewhat prompted by his initial learnings of the political reasons behind the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In march 2010 he was given an order to deploy to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan leaving the 30th March 2011. His initial reaction was shock as he had made it quite clear to his superiors that he was planning to give notice to leave. They also knew Mike‟s opinion on the Afghan War but despite this he still felt he had a sense of duty and so we started to plan for his deployment.
In the next couple of months he discovered Wikileaks, he read and read about the 76,000 military documents that Above: Able Seaman Michael Lyons, who refused to be sent to Af- had been leaked on the internet and published in analysed ghanistan. He is currently serving a 6 month sentence in form in various newspapers. These documents detailed the Colchester military prison. military‟s under-reporting of civilian casualties caused by Nato troops, both in the air and on the ground. This was the first thing Mike told me when he got home
Examples included the convoy of US marines driving down that night. I just cried. We both got very upset and he said I a six-mile stretch of highway firing at everyone they saw, don‟t agree with what‟s happening, I don‟t agree politically 19 unarmed civilians were killed and a further 50 wounded. and I don‟t agree morally, I cannot be part of it, I can‟t be in Closer to home there were the allegations that Royal Ma- the Military knowing this is what they stand for. I guess I rines had shot innocent drivers and motorcyclists on eight am a Conscientious Objector. These were his exact words, separate occasions over a six-month period, and that they are ingrained on my memory because this was the moment I have never been more proud in my life. Ghurkhas had called in an air strike on a family compound, leaving seven innocents dead. These were just some of He told his superior and they asked for it in writing, he did the reports. this immediately and the captain accepted the statement
Within days Mike had to attend a 2 week advanced medic and agreed that Mike was a conscientious objector. course to prepare him for deployment to Afghanistan so he However as it was passed up the chain of command some- didn‟t have time to gather his thoughts about the leaked thing went very wrong. A few days later the decision had documents or analyse how he felt. The only way I can been overturned by someone, we still don‟t know who fur- describe Mike‟s reaction to this information is sickened. ther up the chain. Mike was furious and advised his chief he would be appealing the decision. He handed his second On the last day of the course he had a heated argument statement to his chief the next day and detailed the rea- with an Army doctor who was giving scenarios of when a sons why he was a conscientious objector, the chief Royal Navy Medic would need to administer aid. One sce- promptly handed this back to Mike and said he would not nario was of a Afghani Child that had been carried to the pass it to the appeals court until Mike had toned it down Military hospital by her family, the child had a birth defect and written in a less emotional way! and was in pain. Mike was the first to speak up saying he would treat the child. The army doctor answered quickly Whilst we were waiting for a date for the appeal Mike was „the child‟s birth defect is untreatable Lyons, how would due to attend a weapons training course, here he would you approach this?‟ Mike answered back even quicker, learn how to use an SA-80. Mike called it a learning to Kill well if after I have covered all possibilities and still I cannot course. Mike‟s conscience would not allow him to complete treat the condition I would at least offer pain relief, support the course and he asked to be put on non-combatant and compassion to her and her family. The doctor wasn‟t duties whilst his appeal was pending, he explained why he happy, this would be a waste of resources, you would have was a conscientious objector in detail. He was returned to to turn them away, she said. unit.(cont p9) 8 LILLIAN LYONS (from p8) On December 17th 2010 Despite the difficulties Mike has faced he is completely at peace with all of his decisions. He says that he has a clear Mike‟s appeal was unsuccessful, we were all in shock, he was honest sincere and correct. The judge even had to conscience and if he had done anything differently he adjourn the court half way through as Mike got so upset wouldn‟t be able to live with himself so he is happy and when speaking about the details of the casualties of this proud of what he has made a stand against. war. They gave no reason why they had chosen not to be- I am so proud of my husband, he is the most com- lieve Mike and we have yet to receive any. Technically the passionate, kind, loving and moral man I have ever known. I appeal is still pending because Liam Fox secretary of de- agree with everything he has done and I am appalled by fence has the final say and Mike has not received any for- the way the Navy have treated him. mal decision in writing. One thing sticks in my mind about this last year and it‟s Just after the appeal the Navy chose to charge Mike with really personal but I want to share it with you because it wilful disobedience for refusing to complete the learning to shows how strong Mike‟s convictions are. He said to me just kill course. before the sentencing that if he hadn‟t had stood up for what
Since then It has been a very hard journey, we have both he believes in, or if he had gone to war or stayed in the Mili- lost a lot of friends through this, Mike has received threats tary he wouldn‟t have been able to start a family with me. and been the subject of bullying from his colleagues, getting He said I would never want my children looking up to me if i into arguments on a daily basis about the legality of war and had been part of this destruction, this death and greed And I reporting back to me every night about how astonished he is couldn‟t be the husband that you deserve either. by the level of racism within the navy. One day Michael and I will start a family and our children can be proud of their father. Michael is locked up unjustly for His chief called him a cancer worried that he would spread having a conscience but i feel like the luckiest woman in the his message of love and peace among the ranks! Michael world simply because that man is my husband. has however been very discreet about his views and has By Lillian Lyons never tried to push them on to anyone else, he has simply See the new “Veterans for Peace UK” website for more defended the Afghani people when they often became the info: http://veteransforpeaceuk.wordpress.com/ subject of race hate within the office where Mike worked.
EASY ESSAYS by Peter Maurin
A PERSONALIST COMMUNITARIAN THEY AND WE
A personalist Who has a social doctrine People say is a go-giver, of the common good. “They don’t do this, not a go-getter. Who spreads they don’t do that.” A person who tries to give the social doctrine Always “They” and never “I”. what they have, of the common good People should say: and does not through words and deeds “They are crazy for doing this try to get as well as words, and not doing that what the others have. for they know that deeds But I don’t need Someone who tries speak louder than words. to be crazy to be good Through words and deeds The way they by doing good they brings into existence are crazy.” to the other fellow. a common unity, Someone other-centered the common unity not self-centered. of the community.
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9 Location, Location, Location
The sun has just gone behind the wall of the church next Embassy in Grosvenor Square for the Anniversary of the door. I‘m sitting with the back door open allowing the attacks on the Twin Towers, only to find themselves pray- warm October air (yes, really) in. For some reason there is ing for peace in the space between the EDL and Muslims a filing cabinet in the garden, along with the sunflowers, Against Crusades. Location mattered too when the DSEi pumpkin, kale, garden table and chairs, not to mention the arms fair returned to the ExCEL Centre in Custom House, compost box, pieces of an old coal bunker, an assortment east London, and Giuseppe Conlon House played host to of cardboard boxes and other unsightly rubbish. The an assortment of activists in need of a bed in between plan- pumpkin grew from seeds that came out of the compost ning and acting to disrupt the arms fair (see Chris Cole‘s when Conor was forking out some of the fertile soil onto article on p7) and when we joined over 100 others for a the newly made vegetable beds. silent vigil outside the DSEi Arms Fair, to pray for healing I happen to know there are some old wooden pallets on the where the sickness is, in the same way that we would go to flat roof of the extension. They are for the chickens to visit a sick friend or family member, and pray for them, as scratch on which Conor is planning to put there, in the well as when we vigilled and prayed outside the British chicken coop our friend John has built. The day after the military spy base at GCHQ during the Greenbelt festival. It pallets went up, some other friends brought round some mattered too when Catholic Workers were in the risky po- office furniture for us, and apparently totally randomly, sition of being the only organised group willing to take the some rolls of chicken wire. Seems like its providence. We risk of being outside the High Court when Wikileaks rely a lot on providence. We‘ve run out of bread a few founder Julian Assange was inside appealing his extradi- times recently, only to be saved by an unexpected gift of tion order. manna from heaven! Its ‗just in time providence‘ - God Location matters for our guests - they have no money, so doesn‘t like to let us know in advance what we are being travelling around this big city is tricky - we‘ve been sent, or before we really need it. I don‘t know how we‘re blessed to have a bike project making use of our basement going to get the chicken coop through the door of the room space and giving our guests a solution to their problem by where its been made - I think its too big. Anyway, hopeful- providing rebuilt bikes. ly we will get some eggs. Location matters when we find ourselves sharing our lives All of this speaks to me of putting ourselves in the right with the poor, oppressed and afflicted: with refugees and place, and trusting God. Estate agents say there are three the homeless. From them we learn of the harsh realities of things that matter - location, location and location! And the society we live in, our sinfulness, and our need to our location has turned out to be vital recently. change, for conversion, repentance. It was vital when Mark Duggan was shot and the riots Sometimes it feels as if we are surrounded here with an kicked off in Tottenham: our friends were phoning and ocean of suffering: only by the grace of God are we able to emailing to ask were we alright, and the local shop keepers keep standing, to ride the wave, to keep hope alive. That on Green Lanes were out in force to protect their liveli- small thing seems miraculous at times, a miracle that per- hoods (Jo Frew shares her reflections on the riots else- haps germinates during that half hour we spend together in where in this newsletter). Ciaron and Conor went on the the mornings, reading the scriptures and in silent prayer, next night to vigil for Michael Duggan and his grieving learning the truth of those words of Phillip Berrigan, family, as well as for peace in our neighbourhood, with ―Don‘t just do something - stand there‖ - or sit there. Put local Church people and others. yourself in the right place, at the margins, where the pain It was vital too on September 11th, when a group of us is, where it all seems so fragile and tentative and risky - (not including me, I was chained to the cooker at our Ur- and you may find real life, life to the full, in the struggle to ban Table soup kitchen!) put themselves in front of the US keep hope alive. And maybe even God. By Martin Newell DVD FOR SALE:
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